Two years ago, the Detroit Tigers reportedly made a strong push around the non-waiver trade deadline to acquire middle infielder Darwin Barney from the Chicago Cubs.

A trade never came to fruition, but it appears the Tigers' interest in Barney hasn't dissipated.

Barney, along with Cubs outfielder Nate Schierholtz, are both being scouted by Tigers vice president of player personnel Scott Reid in Arizona this week, CBSChicago.com reported early Wednesday.

The report would seem to suggest the Tigers are at least considering the possibility of a trade to address several needs in light of injuries to both Andy Dirks and Jose Iglesias.

Then again, it's possible Reid -- who has been with the Tigers since 2002 -- and the organization are simply exercising due diligence and trying to get a feel for the market.

Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski told reporters Sunday that the team plans to fill both positions -- shortstop and left field -- with in-house candidates, but confirmed the club will "keep a pulse on what's going on outside the organization."

"But at this point, if we had to open internally, we're content there and we'll just analyze the situation as it rolls on," Dombrowski said.